Gene transcriptional regulation and molecular basis of Moniliophthora perniciosa homothallic sexual development

• Grant number: 13/05192-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira
• Grantee: Ludimila Dias Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Agaricomycetes presents two morphological phases in their mushroom life-cycle, a transient monokaryotic and a dikaryotic, more durable. The events needed for the dikaryotization phenomenon are governed by mating type loci, organized in a tetrapolar system, formed by the multigenic A and B locus. The A locus codes for two homeodomains proteins named HD1 and HD2, while B locus presents genes for pheromones receptors and pheromones. In heterothallic species, both locus need to have different alleles for the dikaryotization event to occur. Although, homothallic species are capable of mating between genetically equal hyphae, which implies in the spontaneus capability of phases transition and spore generation without finding a compatible partner. The C biotype of the fungi Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of Witche's broom in cacao (Theobroma cacao), was the first fungi described as primary homothallic which presents the tetrapolar genetic system. Previously, we have characterized A locus bearing a hd1 and hd2 pair and a putative B locus with 9 genes coding for pheromone receptors. Preliminary evidences indicated that monokaryotic and dikaryotic phases of the life cycle are coincidents with the biotrophic and necrotrophic stages, respectively. In this scenario, this project has the goal to study the molecular basis of homothallism in M. perniciosa and evaluate the global transcriptional regulation during the mating in vitro.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ALMEIDA, Ludimila Dias. Transcriptional regulation and molecular basis of Moniliophthora perniciosa homothallic sexual development. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.